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CNN Sunday Morning
New Government Begins Its Work in Iraq
Aired July 13, 2003 - 09:07 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: While the U.S. tries to track down remnants of the old regime, a new government is beginning its work. Rym Brahimi joins us now from Baghdad with the latest on the first meeting of the Iraq governing council.
But first, Rym, if you are hearing any more information about this one U.S. soldier who's been killed, and two others wounded at an Iraqi checkpoint?
RYM BRAHIMI, CNN BAGHDAD BUREAU CHIEF: Fredricka, for the time being, we have no information on that latest incident. There have been a number of deaths that have been caused here, among U.S. soldiers, not only by killings and attacks but also purely by accident. So we're waiting to hear more details on what exactly happens there.
Now, as you mentioned, they're the first new governing council here has been established in Iraq. And it's quite a turnaround, quite a step forward. At least it's seen that way by the representatives, the 25 people that make up this governing council.
And they say they represent the main political, religious and ethnic groups that make up Iraq, basically. They held a two-hour long session under very tight security at the Conference Palace. Helicopters hovering, a group of U.S. soldiers basically securing the compound.
And then they invited Paul Bremer, the U.S. administrator, here in Iraq, as well as the U.N. representative Sergio de Mello. Here's what he had to say.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SERGIO VIEIRA DE MELLO, U.N. ENVOY TO IRAQ: The capacity of Iraqi leaders to forge the consensus necessary to bring into being the governing council and to forge this consensus in such conflict circumstances, is an achievement to be recognized, applauded and nurtured.
It is through this consensus, a single-minded unity of purpose and resolve, to get Iraq back to where this country deserves to be, that the many challenges facing you will be overcome.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BRAHIMI: Sergio de Mello talking there, again, about the reinstatement of Iraq, the return of Iraq to the community of nations on the international scene, but also to a peaceful state.
Now, of course, after these talks, basically, the group of 25 answered questions from a panel of journalists. And very keen to point out, to make several points.
One, very symbolic first decision that they made on this day of their establishment, they've canceled all the holidays, the national holidays linked to the Ba'ath Party, and they've established April 9, which is the day of the toppling of the Saddam Hussein regime, as the new national holiday.
Also, very keen to tell their audience that the Saddam Hussein regime is gone forever and will be no more. Also calling on their neighbors, basically the neighboring countries to live in a peaceful state and to understand where the new Iraq is coming from.
They also made the point that this was a governing council that would have some powers; that they would be able to review laws. They would be able to make appointments of ministers. And they would be able to have a say in the new constitution -- Fredricka.
WHITFIELD: Rym Brahimi, thanks for that update. Thank you very much.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
Aired July 13, 2003 - 09:07 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: While the U.S. tries to track down remnants of the old regime, a new government is beginning its work. Rym Brahimi joins us now from Baghdad with the latest on the first meeting of the Iraq governing council.
But first, Rym, if you are hearing any more information about this one U.S. soldier who's been killed, and two others wounded at an Iraqi checkpoint?
RYM BRAHIMI, CNN BAGHDAD BUREAU CHIEF: Fredricka, for the time being, we have no information on that latest incident. There have been a number of deaths that have been caused here, among U.S. soldiers, not only by killings and attacks but also purely by accident. So we're waiting to hear more details on what exactly happens there.
Now, as you mentioned, they're the first new governing council here has been established in Iraq. And it's quite a turnaround, quite a step forward. At least it's seen that way by the representatives, the 25 people that make up this governing council.
And they say they represent the main political, religious and ethnic groups that make up Iraq, basically. They held a two-hour long session under very tight security at the Conference Palace. Helicopters hovering, a group of U.S. soldiers basically securing the compound.
And then they invited Paul Bremer, the U.S. administrator, here in Iraq, as well as the U.N. representative Sergio de Mello. Here's what he had to say.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SERGIO VIEIRA DE MELLO, U.N. ENVOY TO IRAQ: The capacity of Iraqi leaders to forge the consensus necessary to bring into being the governing council and to forge this consensus in such conflict circumstances, is an achievement to be recognized, applauded and nurtured.
It is through this consensus, a single-minded unity of purpose and resolve, to get Iraq back to where this country deserves to be, that the many challenges facing you will be overcome.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BRAHIMI: Sergio de Mello talking there, again, about the reinstatement of Iraq, the return of Iraq to the community of nations on the international scene, but also to a peaceful state.
Now, of course, after these talks, basically, the group of 25 answered questions from a panel of journalists. And very keen to point out, to make several points.
One, very symbolic first decision that they made on this day of their establishment, they've canceled all the holidays, the national holidays linked to the Ba'ath Party, and they've established April 9, which is the day of the toppling of the Saddam Hussein regime, as the new national holiday.
Also, very keen to tell their audience that the Saddam Hussein regime is gone forever and will be no more. Also calling on their neighbors, basically the neighboring countries to live in a peaceful state and to understand where the new Iraq is coming from.
They also made the point that this was a governing council that would have some powers; that they would be able to review laws. They would be able to make appointments of ministers. And they would be able to have a say in the new constitution -- Fredricka.
WHITFIELD: Rym Brahimi, thanks for that update. Thank you very much.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
